Western appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1885-18??, 1887-04-16
Easter Sermon.

The following is a synopsis of a SER
mon delivered by Rev. G. S. Jacobs, in
St. James \. M. Z. Church, St. Paul,
Minnesota, on Easter morning, Sunday,
April 10th, 1887. After some prelimi-
nary remarks by way Of prefacing his
sermon the Elder announced as a text.
Luke, xiv chap. and xxxiv verse.
"The Lord is Risen indeed, and hath
appeared unto Simon
The story of the resurrection of our
Lord Jesus Christ from the dead, is the
theme of the thoughts of millions to-day.
With the return of the beautiful spring
and flowers, Of each succeeding wear,
the lovers Of Jesus arise in their strength.
| to celebrate the most grand and won
dertul event that scripture has recorded
"A Risen Christ. Infidelsa and lskeptics
have for ages tried to sap the foundation
OF the Christians hopes, but in the
varied scenes and trials through all time
the church has and is now willing to be-
lieve the scripture as the inspiration of
God. And, in the language Of St. Paul.
we say, That if Christ be not risen, then
is our faith and preaching vain, but Gods
word atfirms the fact, that Christ was
crucified, dead and buried, and that he
arose from the dead, for our justification
and that he is now our Mediator and
Redeemer. The vast multitudes of
worshipers of Him who loved and gave
his life for us, all with one accord, unite
in the language Of the text, and say, this
glad Easter morn, The Lord is Risen in
deed.
Go back yonder, 1854 years ago, at the
tomb of Joseph of Arimethea, on.the
first day of the week, the Sabbath Of the
Lord. early in the morning, while the
Roman Soldiers were keeping vigilance
a. the grave of our blessed Master, and
while the friends of Jesus, the dispised
Nazarene were preparing spices and
ointments and arranging to visit the
tomb to embalm the Lord of Lords.
God fired the angel and commissioned
him to come down us on the wings of
the wind, and roll away the great stone
from the door Of the sepulchre and sit
down upon it These Roman Soldiers
looked upon the angel, the Heavenly
messenger, in wonder and amazement;
the face of the angel bright with the
glory of God filled them with awe; thew
would if possible frame some plausible
story to suit the ear of the governor and
save to themselves a name for valor and
bravery.
But listen, Oh, listen! there was
heard the noise of wings, and song of
joy in heaven, and it's echo was heard
along the hills and valleys, saving: to-
day! to-day! The Lord will Rise and
prove the fullness of his word, wnen he
said, Tear down this Temple. but IN
three days I will rear it up again.
Wondering angels waited. The disciples
We're beginning to wonder and became
restless. Mary the Mother of Jesus
and the other Mary were on their way
to the tomb, and all the Earth was still.
The sky was bright and cloudless. Dav
began to dawn. The Angel of God came
down in the midst Of the soldiers, and
the first sound heard to break the still
ness of the wonderful hour, was the
wall of woe from these awe stricken
watchmen. And then above their
groans, as they fell like dead men, could
be heard the Mighty voice of Rising
God and a wonderous King, saving 3Obe
Death! where is thy Sting? Oh, Grave!
thy Victory?
The Rising God forsook the tomb.
In vain the tomb forbade him rise;
Cherubic legions guard him home,
And shout him welcome to the skies.
The women came to the sepulchre,
| but the Saviour was gone, they were
surprised and said, tell us where YOU
| have laid him? the angel answered, He
| has risen as he said come see the place
| where the Lord lay. But Jesus met the
| women, and as they looked on him he
said: All hail They desired to embrace
| him, but Jesus said, Do not touch me I
| have not assembled, but go and tell my
disciples, [ will meet them in Galilee.
Oh, glorious news! Two Of his disciples
on their way to Emens, talked of this
great Redeemer, and Jesus joined them
in their walk, and their hearts burned
while they conlmuned by the way; but
the strongest evidence that Christ had
risen from the dead was given. When
he appeared lnperson and sat down at
meat with his disciples and they had
seen his hands, his feet, his side, and
heard his voice, they all cried, Ali Hail
the Power of Jesus Name. Truly the
Lord is risen indeed, and appeared un.
to Simon. And now, dear bretheren
and sisters, as we are here assembled in
| Gods house this glad Easter day, many
of us can fully realize and appreciate
the language Of the text, and say, Truly
i the Lord is risen indeed, and hath ap-
peared unto us. The fairest among ten
thousand and altogether lovely. We
feel his presence. We enjoy his love;
and we fully appreciate His great and
wonderful mercy. And this anniversary
of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus
Christ from the dead is to US a grand
and fitting emblem Of our great rising
day. May the day be as calm, may the
sun shine as bright, and may the angels
of heaven come in the gathering morn
ing, not to rollaway the great stone, but
to accompany us to the realm Of light
and life, where the wicked shall cease to
trouble and the weary are at rest
There to be ever with the Lord. Oh.
that will be joyful, when ne meet with
loved ones who are there, and with
| the many thousands Of the saints Of
God, who with US, are to day engaged in
serving q once crucifed, dead and
!. buried, but now risen Saviour. To
him besall the glory now and ever.
Amen.